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Although the FA have increased suspensions in the past, they have never added extra matches because of the seriousness of an offence.

But an FA spokesman said: 'We are looking at the incident and have the right to alter the suspension if necessary.'

Walk of shame: Guthrie exits St James' Park with his head hung low

Guthrie, a £2.5million summer signing from Liverpool, lost his cool as Newcastle slipped to a humiliating defeat on a day fans vented their anger over owner Mike Ashley's running of the club.

Guthrie had already tried to trip Fagan with a rash challenge before taking him down with a full-blooded swipe in the corner.

Fagan managed to play on for the final seven minutes and joined his team-mates as they celebrated their first Barclays Premier League away win in front of 3,000 travelling fans.

But he left St James' on crutches and X-rays on Monday confirmed Fagan has suffered a broken right tibia and will be out for at least three months.

Guthrie issued an apology yesterday and was trying to contact Fagan to say sorry personally but that was being blocked by Hull staff.

He said: 'I was very upset to hear the news concerning Craig. The club have been in touch with Hull on my behalf because I want to speak to Craig in person to apologise and wish him a speedy recovery. I hope to do that as soon as possible.

'It was a challenge that came purely out of frustration and anybody who knows me will accept it was out of character on my part.'

But Hull manager Phil Brown indicated Guthrie would be wasting his time trying to offer an apology to Fagan, who joined Hull in a £750,000 deal from Derby last season.

Brown said: 'It cannot be tolerated. When you see that the end product is him putting a fellow pro in a cast, it's just not right. That's the horrible side of the game.

Furious: Hull boss Brown was appalled by Guthrie's tackle - and his attempts at an apology

'It took the shine off the victory in my mind. If I go back to the incident, my players were killing time in the corner, something that every club do. In the process, someone has decided to take the matter into his own hands and lashed out at Craig Fagan.'

Brown has pleaded not guilty to an FA misconduct charge after it was alleged he kicked a water bottle at the fourth official during his side's 5-0 defeat at home to Wigan.